Unhappy QB Beck to leave Nebraska

"I'm disappointed that things occurred the way they did," coach Bill Callahan said. "I was hopeful that (the situation) could be rectified. But it's Harrison's choice."

Callahan said he spoke with Beck earlier on Monday and the sophomore would be released from his scholarship.

Beck was a no-show at practice Friday and Saturday, unhappy that Joe Ganz was getting more reps behind starter Zac Taylor.

UF: Thomas out 4-6 weeks

GAINESVILLE - Safety Bryan Thomas had surgery to repair his left knee and is expected to miss four to six weeks, Gators coach Urban Meyer said.

"They're saying it was not an ACL, but a blood vessel burst near his ACL, so it's very painful," Meyer said. The Zephyrhills native injured the knee earlier in the summer, had arthroscopic surgery, and injured it again Sunday.

SMITH ON CAMPUS: Former Utah cornerback Ryan Smith could join the team as early as today. He completed course work last week for a degree at Utah and is expected to take advantage of a new NCAA rule that allows players to transfer and play immediately if they graduate in fewer than four years.

USF: Depth battles begin

TAMPA - The Bulls have four weeks to solidify who will be the starting quarterback to open the season, but Monday's first practice left coach Jim Leavitt pleased with the position as a whole.

"The leadership of the quarterbacks was noticeable," Leavitt said after a 90-minute workout. "They're all very good leaders, and that's so important."

Senior Pat Julmiste, with 23 career starts, enters fall drills with an edge over redshirt freshman Matt Grothe. Leavitt said freshman Nate Allen, discussed as potentially moving to safety, will stay at quarterback and redshirt this fall.

The task of replacing Andre Hall at running back will likely fall to either sophomore Ricky Ponton or redshirt freshman Moe Plancher.

The first week of practice overlaps with the final week of summer classes, so some players will miss practice time. Leavitt said former Leto quarterback J.B. Bailey is reconsidering his decision to walk on as a defensive back and might attend a smaller school where he can play quarterback.

Elsewhere

Football: Lineman Dale Dixson moved from defense to offense to shore up Georgia's depth at center and guard. ... South Carolina running back Cory Boyd does not have a broken hand, so he will not miss much practice time.

Basketball: Penn State extended the contract of men's coach Ed DeChellis two years, keeping him through the 2010-11 season.